In this new Photoshop tutorial you will learn how to create a Christmas pop up greeting card using a beautiful winter landscape. I was inspired by this previous Christmas card Photoshop tutorial to make my own creation. You can use the free greeting card template and put your Christmas design idea inside. I am sure you will came up with some interesting and creative Christmas cards. Don't forget to also check out my Winter Season Photoshop manipulation tutorial.

You might also like

First you have to download this free greeting
card PSD template. I will use the open greeting card template for this tutorial. So download the ZIP file and open the PSD inside it.

We have to select only the "page 1 (www.psd-dude.com)" and "page 2 (www.psd-dude.com)" smart objects and duplicate them into our "pop up greeting card" PSD file. You can
adjust the layer styles for each layer if you want to add more contrast. Don't change the color we will edit it in the next steps.

Open the "page 2 (www.psd-dude.com)" smart object and inside this write your text message. Use any font you like, any size, any color. I will use color white and
font types LeckerliOne and Intro wich are both free font types. Learn how to
install new font in Photoshop

Select the two greeting card page layers and convert them into a
smart object called Greeting Card. Now I will add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to add color to the greeting card. You can use any color you want for the Christmas card,
simply change the Hue level.

Now let's add a background. Create a new layer below the Greeting Card smart object. Call this layer Winter Sky. Add a Gradient Overlay using these
purple tones: #958ea1(location 45%) and #403f43(location 0%)

Make a new layer above the Winter Sky layer and add this snow texture; I used the
small size image, I duplicate it several times and used the Clone Stamp Tool
to make a seamless texture.

Use the Blur Tool to blur the horizon line. You can also use the Gaussian Blur filter using a soft edge selection.

Now let's change the snow texture a little; for that we'll add two adjustment layers: Brightness/Contrast and Hue/Saturation, with these settings:

In a new layer add some of these pine trees PNG; pick the snow trees, resize them, duplicate
several times and place them like shown in the image.

Set the saturation level of the pine trees to around -70; also use the Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur filter like shown in the image:

Add this beautiful decorated Christmas tree and place it inside the greeting card.

Now you have to add a cast shadow effect for the Xmas tree; learn how to
create shadow in Photoshop from these useful tutorials. Simply duplicate the tree layer, color it in black and set the opacity of the layer to 50%. Make a selection
and use the Distort Tool to change the shadow perspective.

How to Create Falling Snow Effect in Photoshop

If you want to add falling snow effect you can add the falling snow texture and set the blend mode to Screen. You can use these textures snowfall 1 and snowfall 2 with Screen blend mode. Also you can download this
snow brushes and add snow using the Brush Tool and color #ffffff.

At the last moment I have decided to add some cute deer buck PNG stock images; make some brightness and saturation adjustments and you
should blend them perfectly with the rest of the image. So here is my Christmas winter landscape creatd inside a pop up greeting card, hope you like it. We wish you all to have a
Merry Christmas!

If you're looking for amazing textures and backgrounds for Photoshop, explore Textures4Photoshop where you can find 1000+ unique images. You can download all these textures and backgrounds for free to use in personal or commercial projects!

Be a Cool Dude!

With your donation you can help us maintain this website and keep producing free resources many months to come! Any amount counts

13 comment(s) for "Create a Christmas Pop Up Greeting Card in Photoshop"

Jeanette

2:52 AM Saturday, December 21, 2013

I did this one for my facebook friends and relatives. I put your site in the description area. With the site and goodies that went with it. Thank you so much another wonderful tut. Keep up the fabulous work. I love your tuts
reply

Hi Jeanette, thank you very much for your kind words, We are really glad you like our Photoshop tutorials! Your Christmas card looks really nice, I hope your Facebook friends and family will think the same way :)
reply